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The Spa Solution
A New Trend Promotes Healthy Lifestyles By Teri Brown
Before choosing your weight loss spa destination, you should ask the following questions, says Susie Ellis, vice president of industry relations for Spa Finder, a spa travel and publishing company.
- How many people does the spa accommodate?
- How much structure is there? Are foods readily available or have temptations been greatly reduced?
- Is there a medical staff?
- Is the emphasis on exercise, reducing caloric intake or education?
- Is there a proven record of long-term weight loss success?
Once you have chosen a spa destination, make a list of your reasons for going. Why do you want to lose weight? Why do you feel the spa experience will help facilitate your lifestyle changes? What sort of changes are you going to make in your life once you are back from the spa to keep your momentum going?
For lasting results Ellis believes that a one- or two-week stay is needed. "In most cases I think staying one week is the minimum for real weight loss progress," says Ellis. "In my opinion, anything less than one week may get some short-term weight loss results, but doesn't generally have the long-term result most people are looking for. I also think it's possible to stay too long. Some people are better off going several times a year to a spa than staying so long at one time that they plateau or lose the joy of the experience."
Whether you are going to a spa for some serious weight loss or simply to kick-start a healthy lifestyle plan, chances are you are going to enjoy the experience. Who knows? You may even find the motivation and determination to change your life forever.
